The certificate ceremony for the Islamic Theology and Culture Program, organized in cooperation with Üsküdar University Directorate of Health, Culture and Sports, Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP) and Ternopil University of Ukraine, was held. The certificate ceremony for the program, which attracted significant interest with the participation of Ukrainian academics and students, was attended by Üsküdar University Founding Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan. During the ceremony, attention was drawn to the cultural similarities between the two countries, emphasizing that spiritual values can bring people together.
The certificate ceremony, held in the Central Campus Senate Hall, was attended by Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP) Board Member Prof. Dr. İlham Miraç, Head of Ternopil University History Department Prof. Dr. Ella Bistritska, Head of Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences History Department Dr. Lecturer Uygar Aydemir, Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP) Vice President Sadık Paksoy, Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP) Vice President Selahattin Arslan, Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP) Board Member, Head of English Translation and Interpreting Department Dr. Lecturer Nafi Yalçın, and the Ukrainian delegation.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “The peace that has been made for centuries cannot be made in this century”
Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, drawing attention to the fact that the peace achieved for centuries cannot be achieved in this century, touched upon the concepts in the Holy Quran. Tarhan said; “In the Holy Quran, the concepts of mercy, love, and affection are fundamental, while concepts related to fear are exceptional. There is no concept in the Holy Quran that supports violence. The current events do not comply with the recommendations in the Holy Quran at all. Unfortunately, the peace that has been made for centuries cannot be made in this century.”
“Decide by personally reading both the Holy Quran and Risale-i Nur”
Tarhan, drawing attention to the fact that Risale-i Nur should be taken as a reference in learning Islam, said; “Bediüzzaman represents the peaceful aspect of Islam and the concept of jihad. There is an expression he brought to the interpretation of the Holy Quran, the expression 'Positive Action'. He recommends approaching human relations, life, and social relations with a positive action method. There is an interpretation of the Holy Quran suitable for the understanding of this era. The best advice for you is to decide by personally reading both the Holy Quran and Risale-i Nur. The first recommendation of these books is to be at peace with ourselves, to discipline our ego. If you want to know human beings and happiness in both worlds, the formula is in these books. One of the features of Risale-i Nur is that it combines religious sciences and natural sciences, approaching with a holistic science. The most important concept it proves is the concept of tawhid (oneness of God). There are 4,300 religions in the world, and tawhid belief forms the ideal conception of God among them,” he stated.
Prof. Dr. Ella Bistritska: “We can come together with our spiritual values”
Head of Ternopil University History Department Prof. Dr. Ella Bistritska emphasized that global problems can be solved together. Bistritska said; “We thank Üsküdar University for opening a new platform for us in intercultural dialogue. We can solve global problems together. A single ideology, a single state cannot solve them. We need to approach them all together. The ethical values of Christianity and Islam are the same. Most importantly, we can come together with our spiritual values. By discussing and talking together, we can solve the problems in the world. We need to work on these problems with students because our future will be with these students. Europe and the West have different views on natural sciences and religion; the West separates natural sciences from religion, saying they cannot come together. We want to unite the two. This happens in two ways: either you separate them both, and there is peace, or you unite them both. Islam wants to unite them. Europe wants to separate them.”
Prof. Dr. İlham Miraç: “Scientific information on Islamic Theology and Culture was provided”
Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP) Board Member Prof. Dr. İlham Miraç delivered the opening speech of the certificate ceremony. Miraç stated that scientific information about the Islamic religion was provided within the scope of the education and emphasized that the education was accredited. Miraç used the expressions; “We extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to the realization of this program, especially our Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan. I also thank our lecturers who gave the courses. The 'Islamic Theology and Culture' course was accredited by the Ukrainian Ministry of Education at Ternopil State Pedagogical University of Ukraine. Course contents, exams, and all necessary materials were approved by the Senate of the Ukrainian University and the Ukrainian Ministry of Education. Within the scope of the courses, scientific information on the Islamic religion, Islamic Theology and Culture, and human values was provided.”
Dr. Lecturer Uygar Aydemir: “Students want to learn about Islam”
Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences History Department Head Dr. Lecturer Uygar Aydemir touched upon the importance of developing relations between the two countries. Aydemir stated; “We discussed what we need to do to improve our bilateral relations. Our professors invited us to Ukraine. When circumstances permit, we also want to make our visit. As professors, we realized that students want to learn about Islam and ask questions about it. We see that they came here not for a trip but truly as an academic visit. The students represented their country very well.”
Sadık Paksoy: “We were very impressed by the interest of our students”
Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP) Vice President Sadık Paksoy said; “We were very impressed and happy with the interest of our incoming students. They were very seriously prepared academically. Each student made a presentation, and I truly appreciate them.”
Selahattin Arslan: “Common points will enable us to get closer to each other”
Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP) Vice President Selahattin Arslan said; “It was wonderful to meet you and be with you. The students’ desire to learn and their presentations were excellent. They earned our appreciation. It was important to draw attention to the common points and similarities between Islam and Christianity. These common points will enable us to love each other and get closer to each other,” he stated.
Dr. Lecturer Nafi Yalçın: “When people come together for good causes, friendships grow even stronger”
Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP) Board Member, Head of English Translation and Interpreting Department Dr. Lecturer Nafi Yalçın said; “The arrival of our esteemed guests from Ukraine, our historical neighbor with whom we have historical relations, and their mention of Turkish cemeteries in Ukraine, was a very beautiful and evocative piece of information. We commemorated our martyrs and prayed together. When people come together for good causes and share their ideas, beauties multiply, friendships grow, and they understand each other even better,” he stated.
Gift exchange took place at the certificate ceremony…
A gift exchange took place at the certificate ceremony of the “Islamic Theology and Culture Program”. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan presented all his translated works into English to Head of Ternopil University History Department Prof. Dr. Ella Bistritska. The Ukrainian delegation, in turn, presented a gift to Tarhan.
The certificate ceremony concluded after a group photo session.
